The effect of Jiegeng decoction on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice based on metabolomics / 药学学报

One of the traditional prescriptions for treating lung diseases, Jiegeng decoction (JGT), is still unknown in terms of its chemical makeup and mechanism. In this study, Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS technology was used to identify the chemical constituents of JGT, and metabolomics was used to examine the effect of JGT on metabolites in the lung tissue of mice with acute lung injury (ALI) model. The potential biomarkers were screened by fold change (FC) > 1.5 or FC < 0.67 and P < 0.05, and enriched for metabolic pathways. A total of 40 compounds, including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids and glycosides, were identified by mass spectrometry analysis of JGT. All animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. TCM-LAEC2021106). The results showed that JGT improved the lung coefficient, and lung tissue morphology of mice with ALI, lowered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) content in lung tissue. The metabolomic results showed that JGT could regulate 22 metabolites associated with ALI, among which leukotriene D4, docosapentaenoic acid, hypoxanthine, L-5-oxoproline, and other metabolites were mainly associated with the body′s inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and were enriched in the pathways of glutathione metabolism, purine metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. This study analyzed the potential mechanism of JGT in the treatment of ALI through metabolomics, providing an important theoretical basis for the clinical application of JGT.

The Role of PTEN/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Apoptosis of Liver Cells in Cocks with Manganese Toxicity.

PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is an important pathway for cell proliferation and apoptosis. Exposure to excess manganese (Mn) can cause damage in organisms. However, whether Mn toxicity can cause apoptosis is still not clear. In order to explore the mechanism of PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway responsible for Mn-induced apoptotic injury, 160 Hyline cocks were divided into four groups; there were the control group (Con group), the low-dose Mn group (L group), the medium-dose Mn group (M group), and the high-dose Mn group (H group). The cocks in Con group, L group, M group, and H group were fed with MnCl2 diet containing 100, 600, 900, and 1800 mg/kg, respectively. The growth status of cocks in each group was observed on days 30, 60, and 90. Thirty cocks were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed on day 90 for optical microscope observation and fluorescence microscopic observation, as well as for transcription-level expression of apoptosis-related genes and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the liver. The results showed that the growth status of cocks was gradually depressed with the extension of feeding time and with the increase of Mn dose. On day 90, the results of optical microscope observation and fluorescence microscope observation showed that damage and apoptosis appeared in the cock liver cells under Mn exposure groups. The results of transcription-level detection of apoptosis-related genes and HSPs indicated that Mn exposure upregulated eleven pro-apoptotic genes (including RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, Bax, Caspase-3, FADD, Cyt-C, ERK, JNK, Caspase-8, and P38) and downregulated one anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, further meaning that exposure to Mn-induced apoptosis in cock liver cells and PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway took part in molecular mechanism of apoptosis caused by excess Mn. Moreover, in our experiment, the increase of four HSPs (including HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, and HSP70) was found after Mn treatment for 90 days, which indicated that Mn stress triggered HSPs and HSPs were involved in molecular mechanism of Mn poisoning in cock livers. In addition, we also found there was upregulated dose-dependent manner in fifteen detected genes and there was downregulated dose-dependent manner in Bcl-2, indicating that the apoptosis caused by Mn poisoning in cock liver cells was dose-dependent.

Review of systematic reviews of acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To review the systematic reviews of acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and to provide evidence for clinical decisions. Methods: Published systematic reviews targeting acupuncture treatment of DPN were searched using computer through both Chinese and English databases till July 1, 2019. Two researchers screened the papers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and conducted report quality evaluation, methodological quality assessment and evidence quality grading using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), assessment of multiple systematic review 2 (AMSTAR 2) and grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE). Results: Ten systematic reviews were included, involving 11 outcome measures. According to PRISMA, 6 items were sufficiently reported while 1 item was not; AMSTAR 2 appraised that all the included systematic reviews were of low quality in the methodological evaluation; according to GRADE, of the 30 clinical evidences, only 5 were graded moderate while the remained were graded low or extremely low. Descriptive analysis showed that acupuncture can significantly improve DPN symptoms, accelerate the conduction velocities of sensory and motor nerves, and up-regulate the content of plasma nitric oxide (NO), while the adverse reaction rate was low. Conclusion: Acupuncture can produce satisfactory clinical efficacy in treating DPN, but the existing problems, such as low-quality evidence, unitary outcome measures, poor methodological quality of systematic reviews and nonstandard reporting, need to be treated cautiously; meanwhile, more high-quality clinical trials are required to elevate the level of evidence.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids from the South Sea sponge Plakortis sp.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids plaksterols A-D (1-4), together with two known related steroids ergost-7,9(11),22-trien-3ß,5α,6α-triol (5) and ergosta-6ß-methoxy-7,22-diene-3ß,5α-diol (6), were isolated from methanol extract of the South China Sea marine sponge Plakortis sp. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, MS, and IR. The cytotoxicity of the polyhydroxylated steroids were evaluated, and compound 6 showed moderate inhibitory activities against K562, HL-60 and BEL-7402 cells.

Effect of Fei-Liu-Ping ointment combined with cyclophosphamide on lung cancer cell proliferation and acidic microenvironment / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Fei-Liu-Ping ointment and chemotherapy on mice with lung cancer, and to explore the inherent mechanism of action from the point of acidic microenvironment and apoptosis.@*METHODS@#First of all, the Lewis lung cancer transplanted mouse model was established. Therefore, they were treated by Fei-Liu-Ping ointment, cyclophosphamide, Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide and the saline as control. All the groups' tumor size, tumor growth rate and food consumption were recorded. The mice were sacrificed and the tumors were took out after 15 days' interventions. Then lactate relative concentrations were detected with lactate kits and the protein expressions of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), hexokinase 1 (HK1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) were detected through immunohistochemical staining. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the percentage of apoptotic tumor cells and regulatory T cells (Treg), and the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, interleukin-2 (IL-2) were tested through western blot.@*RESULTS@#The strongest inhibition effect and the lowest tumor growth rate was found in Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group. There were significant differences between Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group and saline group(P<0.05). And the highest food consumption was found in Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group while there were no significant differences between Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group and saline group (P>0.05). Further molecular biological detections found that the lowest lactate level and regulatory T cells ratio were found in Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group and these expressions of GLUT4, HK1, GRP78, CA-IX were suppressed. There were significant differences between Fei-Liu-Ping ointment+cyclophosphamide group and saline group (P<0.05). In addition, the Fei-Liu-Ping ointment + cyclophosphamide group's cell apoptosis increased significantly compared with saline group and there were significant differences on expressions of HIF-1α, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, IL-2 for this group compared with saline group.@*CONCLUSION@#Chemotherapy and Fei-Liu-Ping ointment had the synergistic effect on inhibiting tumor growth and improving the general conditions of tumor-bearing mice. The effect was partly owed to the improvement on tissue hypoxia, the inhibition of HIF-1α expression and the regulations on its downstream proteins, such as GLUT4, HK1, GRP78, and CA-IX. And then all these alterations led to the modulation tumor acidic microenvironment, the induced tumor cells apoptosis and suppression of T cells to regulatory T cells differentiation.

The Ethyl Acetate Extract of Gynura formosana Kitam. Leaves Inhibited Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation via Induction of Autophagy.

Gynura formosana Kitam. belongs to the Compositae family and has been traditionally used for the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and inflammation in China. Previous studies had indicated that the ethyl acetate extract of Gynura formosana Kitam. leaves (EAEG) exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In this report, we demonstrated that EAEG possessed potent anticancer activity through autophagy-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation. EAEG induced a strong cytostatic effect towards HeLa cells and, to a lesser extent, HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. This cytostatic effect of EAEG was not a consequence of increased apoptosis, as neither DNA fragmentation nor change in protein expression level for a number of apoptosis-related genes including Bid, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 was observed after EAEG treatment, and the apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK did not inhibit the EAEG-elicited cytostatic effect. On the other hand, EAEG induced autophagy in a dose-dependent fashion, as shown by increased GFP puncta formation, enhanced conversion of the microtubule-associated protein light chain LC3-I to LC3-II, and downregulation of the p62 protein. Treating the HeLa cells with EAEG together with Chloroquine (CQ) further accelerated LC3 conversion and p62 clearance, indicating that EAEG induced complete autophagy flux. Importantly, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA) significantly abrogated the cytostatic effect of EAEG, strongly suggesting that EAEG inhibited HeLa cell proliferation through the induction of autophagy rather than apoptosis. Our results provided a novel and interesting mechanistic insight into the anticancer action of EAEG, supporting the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of the cancer.

Comparison between Ye Tianshi and Wu Jutong in treatment of summer-heat disease / 中国中药杂志

Through the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance platform system, with the help of medical records, Ye Tianshi and Wu Jutong's medication characteristics for summer heat sickness were analyzed, the laws of the two people's medication were summarized, and the similarities and differences between the two were explored to explore the relationship. As a result, it was found that both of them recognized the relationship between summer heat and wetness, and Wu Jutong believed that "wind" was also an important pathogenic factor. Both of the patients were treated with cold medicine and warm medicine. They used mostly bitter, sweet, pungent taste and lungs, spleen, stomach, and heart meridian are the main components; two are commonly used Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Talcum, Rehmanniae Radix, Ophiopogonis Radix, Pinelliae Rhizoma and other drugs, Ye Tianshi use Scrophulariae Radix, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Coicis Semen and other drugs more, Wu Jutong use Gypsum Fibrosum, Sojae Semen Praeparatum, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba and other drugs more; at the same time, a combination of two high-frequency medicines used by two people has been excavated, and a new prescription has been deduced to provide a reference for further understanding and treatment of summer diseases.

Atypical parathyroid adenoma: A case report / 肿瘤

Objective: This paper describes the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with atypical parathyroid adenoma (APA), and aims to improve the understanding of APA in clinicians. Methods: The diagnosis and treatment of a patient with APA were reported, and the related literatures were reviewed.Results: A 37-year old female patient complained of waist and right sacroiliac joint pain. The diagnosis of thyroid neuroendocrine carcinoma was suggested based on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxy glucose-positron emission tomography-CT (18F-FDG-PET-CT) and fine needle aspiration cytology; after thyroidectomy, the final diagnosis was APA based on the pathological result. Calcium supplementation and zoledronic acid were given. The follow-up was half a year, and there was no recurrence, and the prognosis was good.Conclusion: APA is a rare disease and is a state between parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid carcinoma. It is considered to have an unknown malignant potential. For such patients, close follow-up should be carried out to monitor the recurrence after the surgery and whether or not it will transform to parathyroid carcinoma.

Changes in Bone Metabolism in Morbidly Obese Patients After Bariatric Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim is to evaluate via meta-analysis bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. METHODS: We searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies published before January 2014. The following outcomes were evaluated: serum calcium, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], serum or urinary N-telopeptide (NTX), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS: Ten studies, including 344 patients, met our inclusion criteria. Results showed a significant decrease in serum calcium (MD = -0.10, 95 %CI -0.14 to -0.07, P < 0.00001) and increase in serum PTH (MD = 12.41, 95 %CI 6.51 to 18.31, P < 0.00001) but no significant difference in serum 25(OH)D (MD = 1.35, 95 %CI -1.12 to 3.83, P = 0.28) following bariatric surgery. There were significant increases in serum or urinary NTX (MD = 18.49, 95 %CI 3.33 to 33.66, P = 0.02) and BSAP (MD = 7.47, 95 %CI 0.21 to 14.72, P = 0.04) but a significant decrease in BMD (MD = -0.08, 95 %CI -0.13 to -0.04, P < 0.00001) after bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: BMD was significantly decreased, while bone turnover was elevated, and bone remodeling was accelerated following bariatric surgery. Basal bone metabolism should be evaluated preoperatively. To prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone loss, calcium and vitamin D should be monitored closely and supplemented accordingly after the surgery.

Self-management and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in community / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective To evaluate the impacts of self-management on quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in community. Method A total of 130 patients with COPD from selected 3 neighbourhood residential committees in Longhua community were randomized into intervention group (65 cases) and control group (65 cases). The control group was treated with conventional health education, the intervention group was treated with self-management education program. Both groups were evaluated by the Chinese version of the chronic disease self-management study measures and SF-36 profile before and after the 6 months intervention. Result After 6 months, the scores of the chronic disease self-management study in the control group were holistic health (3.52 ± 0.64), symptom (18.86 ± 3.06), shortness of breath (3.92 ± 1.74), somatic function (8.15 ± 0.51) and impact on life (22.21 ± 7.14), while the scores in the intervention group were holistic health (2.43±0.43), symptom (15.68±3.66), shortness of breath (2.06 ± 1.30), somatic function (5.73 ± 1.08) and impact on life (16.43 ± 5.17) , and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the dimensions and total score of quality of life of the intervention group were (52.41±7.90 vs. 71.63±8.11, P<0.01). Conclusion The effective self-management could improve symptoms, the ability of self-management and their quality of life.

Effect of Yiqi Huoxue Qingre Huashi Recipe on the Eradication Rate of Hp in Peptic Ulcer Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yiqi Huoxue Qingre Huashi Recipe (YHQHR, a recipe capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, clearing heat, and dissipating dampness) on ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication rate in Hp positive peptic ulcer patients, and to explore coccoid Hp occurrence in the eradication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 80 Hp positive peptic ulcer patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control groups by random digit table, 40 in each group. All patients received standard triple therapy of Western medicine for 2 successive weeks. Those in the control group additionally took omeprazole enteric coated tablet, 20 mg each time, once per day for 4 successive weeks. Those in the treatment group additionally took YHQHR, twice per day for 6 successive weeks. The ulcer healing was observed and recorded by gastroscope after discontinued medication of 14 days. The effective rate of ulcer healing under endoscope was statistically calculated. Rapid urease test (RUT) was performed in one small piece of tissue from corpora ventriculi and sinuses ventriculi using 14C breathe test (UBT). Gastric juice was collected from the stomach. Hp urease gene amplification test (urea A-PCR) was performed in living tissue from gastric antrum. Results obtained from the above three test methods were recorded and assessed to decide the final eradiation rate. Gastric mucosa tissue was observed under electron microscope,attempting to find non-eradicated Hp, which was further observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total curative effect under gastroscope was 97.5% (39/40 cases) in the treatment group, obviously higher than that in the control group (80.0%, 32/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The eradication rate of Hp was 75.0% (30/40 cases), obviously better than that of the control group (52.5%, 21/40 cases) (P < 0.05). The total positive Hp numbers after treatment was 14C UBT (12), RUT (8), and urea A-PCR (27), respectively. The Hp positive rate detected by 14C UBT and RUT was lower than the Hp positive rate detected by urea A-PCR (P < 0.05). Rod-like and coccoid Hp bacteria could be observed under electron microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YHQHR combined standard triple therapy was more effective than standard triple therapy alone in promoting ulcer healing and elevating the eradication rate of Hp.</p>

Characteristics and prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medicine in atopic dermatitis patients: ten-year experiences at a medical center in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative therapies in treating atopic dermatitis are not uncommon. However, substantial evidence and consensus on treating atopic dermatitis is lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with atopic dermatitis. DESIGN: We retrospectively collected patients with atopic dermatitis at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between 2002 and 2011. Patients' demographic data, duration and frequency of treatment, serum total immunoglobulin E levels, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment principles and prescription were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 4145 patients (8.8%) received traditional Chinese medicine therapy between 2002 and 2011. Among them, 2841 (68.54%) chose TCM only and 1304 (31.46%) chose to combine TCM and WM therapies. Those who chose combination therapy were younger, and needed more times of visit and longer duration of treatment. The most frequent comorbid conditions accompany atopic dermatitis were allergic rhinitis (46.06%) and asthma (21.46%). Among the 87,573 prescriptions written for Chinese medicine, the most frequently prescribed herbal formula and single herb were Xiao-Feng-San (Eliminate Wind Powder) (16.98%) and Bai-Xian-Pi (Cortex Dictamni) (12.68%), respectively. The most commonly used therapeutic principles of herbal formulas and single herbs were releasing exterior (20.23%) and clearing heat (41.93%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our hospital-based study characterized the utilization patterns of traditional Chinese medicine in atopic dermatitis patients. This information could be used as references for clinical application and provide valuable information for future clinical trials.

Comparision of different fixation methods on lower limbs for the treatment of pediatric intussusception with air enema / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of lower limbs fixation methods for the treatment of intussusception in children with air enema with.Methods 2 1 1 pediatric patients with intussusception who had accepted the treatment of air enema with two dif-ferent fixation methods on lower limbs were enrolled.Comparisons of median treatment duration and therapeutic effect between the two methods were investigated.Results In 32 patients with knee-joint fixation method,27 were successful with median treatment duration 4.84 minutes.Meanwhile in other 179 ones with lower limbs fixation method,152 were successful with median duration 7.96 minutes.And the duration difference between two methods was found (P<0.05).Conclusion Knee-joint fixation may help significantly shorten the median treatment duration for the treatment of intussusception with air enema in children.

Study on the diet quality and its relative effect factors among rural residents, using the Chinese Diet Balance Index (CDBI) in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the diet quality and the relative factors among rural residents in Hanzhong,Shaanxi province.Methods A cross-sectional survey on dietary status together with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were conducted on rural residents aged from 18 to 80 in Hanzhong of Shaanxi in 2010.Diet quality was evaluated by using the Chinese Diet Balance Index (CDBI) scoring and evaluating system.Linear regression models were developed to identify factors that influencing the status of under/over intake.Results 2748 rural residents were investigated with the average daily intake of grains,beans,heavily salted vegetables,plant oil,nuts and salt.Results showed that they were higher than average level of Chinese rural residents' (P＜0.01).80％ of the residents having their daily intake of grains,oil and salt exceeded,while animal food,diary food,egg,vegetable and firuits were lower (P＜0.01) than the RNIs.However,there was under intake noticed to some extent in some areas.The average values of DBI_LBS and DBI_HBS were 22.8 and 9.8.The proportions of moderate under intake (20＜DBI_LBS≤40) and moderate over intake (10＜DBI_HBS≤20) were 62.6％ and 48.0％.The main factors that influenced the dietary under-intake were education level,fortune index,hypertension,physical activity,and time to watch television.The main factors that affected the over-intake of diet were sex,age,number of family numbers,intensity of labor,time to sleep,smoking and drinking habits.Conclusion The main diet problem among the rural residents was under-dietary-intake,with over-intake to some extents,suggesting that it was necessary to strength the specific intervention program,to improve the diet quality in the residents of Hanzhong area.

The pharmacological mechanism of gastrodin on calcitonin gene-related peptide of cultured rat trigeminal ganglion / 药学学报

The Chinese herbal medicine Tianma (Gastrodia elata) has been used for treating and preventing primary headache over thousands of years, but the exact pharmacological mechanism of the main bioactive ingredient gastrodin remains unclear. In present study, the effects of gastrodin on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (pERK1/2) expression were observed in rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) after in vitro organ culture to explore the underlying intracellular mechanism of gastrodin on primary vascular-associated headache. CGRP-immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) positive neurons count, positive area, mean optical density and integrated optical density by means of immunohistochemistry stain were compared at different concentrations of gastrodin, which was separately co-incubated with DMEM in SD rat TG for 24 hours. Only at 5 or 10 mmol L(-1) concentration, gastrodin demonstrated significantly concentration-dependent reduction of CGRP-ir (+) expression and its action closed to 1.2 mmol L(-1) sumatriptan succinate. While at 2.5, 20, and 40 mmol L(-1) concentration, gastrodin did not show remarkable effects on CGRP-ir (+) expression. The optimal concentration of gastrodin (5 and 10 mmol L(-1)) similarly inhibited CGRP-mRNA expression level separately compared with 1.2 mmol L(-1) sumatriptan succinate and 10 micromol L(-1) flunarizine hydrochloride, which was quantitatively analyzed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). pERK1/2 level was examined by Western blotting after co-cultured with optimal concentration of gastrodin and effective specific ERK1/2 pathway inhibitors PD98059, U0126. The result indicated that gastrodin significantly reduced pERK1/2 protein actions similarly to ERK1/2 pathway specific blockade. It suggests ERK1/2 signaling transduction pathway may be involved in gastrodin intracellular mechanism. This study indicates gastrodin (5 and 10 mmol L(-1)) can remarkably reduce CGRP-ir (+) neuron, CGRP-mRNA and pERK1/2 expression level in cultured rat TG, with its actions similar to the effective concentration of sumatriptan succinate, flunarizine hydrochloride and specific ERK1/2 pathway blocker. The intracellular signaling transduction ERK1/2 pathway may be involved in the gastrodin reducing CGRP up-regulation in rat TG after organ culture.

[Treatment of constipation by intensive acupoints thread embedding combined with local anal operation].

OBJECTIVE: To search for the best therapy for slow transmission constipation (STC) or mixed constipation (MC) by intensive acupoints thread embedding (IATE). METHODS: A total of 310 patients with constipation were assigned to 5 groups using a stratification control method. The 62 patients of STC in the observation group I were treated by IATE at Dachangshu (BL 25), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints; the 62 of MC in the observation group II by IATE at the same acupoints and local anal operation; both the 62 of STC in the control group I and the 62 of MC in the control group 1I were treated by oral administration of Simo Decoction, while the 62 of MC in the control group III were treated by local anal operation alone. Conditions of defecation were recorded every day in the 6-month follow-up period. Gastrointestinal transit test (GITT) was carried out before and after treatment. One follow-up was conducted at the 1st, 3rd and 6th month. RESULTS: In the 124 patients of the two observation groups, 52 (41.9%) were cured after treatment, they could normally discharge stool, 5 (4.0%) showed markedly effective with their constipation alleviated, but having occasional bowel slackened sensation. In the control group I and II, none was cured or effectively treated, while in the control group III, the efficacy in 8 patients were judged as marked effective, but none was cured. CONCLUSION: IATE is a convenient and effective composite therapy. It shows favorable clinical efficacy for STC, and also for MC in case of combined with local anal operation.

[Treatment of lower extremity diabetic atherosclerotic obliterans with shuxuetong injection].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of Shuxuetong Injection (SXT) in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanying lower extremity atherosclerotic obliterans. METHODS: The selected patients were assigned by randomized digital table to the treated group (180 cases treated with SXT) and the control group (80 cases treated with alprostadil). The clinical efficacy was assessed after 4 weeks of treatment, and the inner diameters and blood flow of the superficial femoral artery, the posterior tibial artery and the foot dorsal artery were measured and compared before and after treatment using Doppler's ultrasonography. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the treated group was 94.4% (170/180), better than that in the control group, 85.0% (68/80, P < 0.01). Ultrasonic examination showed that the inner diameter and the blood flow of all the arteries measured in the treated groups increased after treatment (P < 0.01), with the increase superior to those in the control group (P < 0.05). No adverse reaction was found during the treatment. CONCLUSION: SXT has the effect of activating blood circulation, dissolving stasis and dredging collaterals, it could reduce or eliminate the formation of thrombi, being effective and safe when applied in clinical practice for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic atherosclerotic obliterans.

[Update on reassessment of dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for vitamin D].

The latest clinical studies show that vitamin D has many health promoting functions. However, the current dietary reference intakes (DRIs) of vitamin D is too low. In particular the maximum tolerable intake (UL) of vitamin D is too low, which hampers the clinical use of vitamin D as an nutrient and must be re-assessed. We reviewed the average requirement (EAR) and the recommended intake (RNI) of vitamin D in children, adults, elderly and pregnant and parturient women, and encouraged to increase the recommended intake of vitamin D. We also reviewed the risk of high-dose vitamin D intake and suggested to raise the maximum tolerable intake (UL) made by American CRN. Finally, we propose that Chinese Nutrition Society will consider to increase the UL of vitamin D from 20 microg to 50 microg.

Treatment of constipation by intensive acupoints thread embedding combined with local anal operation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for the best therapy for slow transmission constipation (STC) or mixed constipation (MC) by intensive acupoints thread embedding (IATE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 310 patients with constipation were assigned to 5 groups using a stratification control method. The 62 patients of STC in the observation group I were treated by IATE at Dachangshu (BL 25), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints; the 62 of MC in the observation group II by IATE at the same acupoints and local anal operation; both the 62 of STC in the control group I and the 62 of MC in the control group 1I were treated by oral administration of Simo Decoction, while the 62 of MC in the control group III were treated by local anal operation alone. Conditions of defecation were recorded every day in the 6-month follow-up period. Gastrointestinal transit test (GITT) was carried out before and after treatment. One follow-up was conducted at the 1st, 3rd and 6th month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 124 patients of the two observation groups, 52 (41.9%) were cured after treatment, they could normally discharge stool, 5 (4.0%) showed markedly effective with their constipation alleviated, but having occasional bowel slackened sensation. In the control group I and II, none was cured or effectively treated, while in the control group III, the efficacy in 8 patients were judged as marked effective, but none was cured.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IATE is a convenient and effective composite therapy. It shows favorable clinical efficacy for STC, and also for MC in case of combined with local anal operation.</p>

Treatment of lower extremity diabetic atherosclerotic obliterans with shuxuetong injection / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect and safety of Shuxuetong Injection (SXT) in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanying lower extremity atherosclerotic obliterans.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The selected patients were assigned by randomized digital table to the treated group (180 cases treated with SXT) and the control group (80 cases treated with alprostadil). The clinical efficacy was assessed after 4 weeks of treatment, and the inner diameters and blood flow of the superficial femoral artery, the posterior tibial artery and the foot dorsal artery were measured and compared before and after treatment using Doppler's ultrasonography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate in the treated group was 94.4% (170/180), better than that in the control group, 85.0% (68/80, P < 0.01). Ultrasonic examination showed that the inner diameter and the blood flow of all the arteries measured in the treated groups increased after treatment (P < 0.01), with the increase superior to those in the control group (P < 0.05). No adverse reaction was found during the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SXT has the effect of activating blood circulation, dissolving stasis and dredging collaterals, it could reduce or eliminate the formation of thrombi, being effective and safe when applied in clinical practice for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic atherosclerotic obliterans.</p>